India is in the process of inducting the first batch of its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system — Agni-V — which will bring targets across China within its range, and is expected to significantly bolster the country’s military prowess.

The missile system, with a strike range of 5,000 km and capable of carrying nuclear warhead, are being inducted into the elite Strategic Forces Command (SFC), official sources said. They said a series of user trials are being conducted before the country’s most sophisticated weapon is handed over to the SFC.

Defence experts said the missile is capable of bringing targets across China including its prominent cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong under its range. Last month, Agni-V was successfully test-fired off the Odisha coast and the sources said a number of other pre-induction tests are being planned in the next few weeks.

“It is a strategic asset which will act as a deterrent. We are at the fag end of the strategic project,” said an official, who is part of the Agni-V programme. He said it is the most advanced weapon in its series as it has latest technologies for navigation and its capability of carrying nuclear warhead is much superior.

The first batch of Agni-V will be handed over to the SFC “soon”, the sources said while declining to elaborate further on the closely-guarded defence project. The missile is ...